Metroparks 2010 – 2011 Deer Management Plan Implementation Report

It is the consensus of natural area managers that controlling excessive deer populations is critical to the long term health and viability of the native ecosystems that these animals are a component of.

from the Community Deer Advisory
The Community Deer Advisor team, a partnership of Cornell University and The Nature Conservancy, recently praised the City of Ann Arbor and a local group, Washtenaw Citizens for Ecological Balance (WC4EB), for being “exemplary” as the team looked around the nation for community-based deer management initiatives.

Who We Are

The Washtenaw Citizens for Ecological Balance formed earlier this year sharing a common concern about the impact of the growing population of white-tailed deer on our natural landscapes, gardens, and woodlands. We are acutely aware that this destruction of trees, shrubs, and flowers means a reduction in habitat for other animals including birds, butterflies, and bees. And an opportunity for invasives plants to gain a bigger foothold in our natural areas. Our beautiful natural areas throughout Washtenaw County, which were set aside because of their biodiversity, are becoming less so every year.

Problem Statement

An ecosystem is a community of living and non-living things that work together. Plants are pollinated and grow; animals eat plants or other animals, microbes decompose the leftovers. As humans, we have disrupted ecosystem balance, in part through killing off large predators. An overpopulation of certain species has negatively affected the flora of our woodlands and grasslands. These flora provide indispensable food and habitat for our smaller mammals, birds, bees, and butterflies.

Mission Statement

To promote awareness and discussion of the importance of biodiversity in our community and the threats that over abundant species pose to ecological balance. We believe that the most urgent threat, right now, to the Washtenaw County ecosystem is white-tailed deer.

Vision

Washtenaw Citizens for Ecological Balance envisions our community living by an established environmental ethic, whereby land stewardship practices maintain habitat in ecological balance.

Objectives

Contribute to the public dialogue on ecosystem imbalance through research and education.

Ask Us

We have talked with City Council members, met with County Commissioners and the Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission, and addressed a variety of civic organizations. We are available to talk with your group. Contact us at info@wc4eb.org.